Minister in the Ministry of Housing, Phillip Alexander, has dubbed the Wild Flower Park, located in St. Clair, Port of Spain, the People’s Park, following the removal of signage restricting public access to the space.
In a social media post, Minister Alexander described the removal as “liberation”.
The Wild Flower Park controversy dates back to April 2022, when signs were erected, allegedly by the Horticulture Division, restricting public access. At the time, citizens reported being confronted by private security guards and observed the installation of a security camera powered by a nearby private residence.
“I’ll never forget the first time that I had to come to this park. I couldn’t believe what was tried here. I couldn’t believe that people tried to seize a public park and prevent the people from using the park. And the fight that we fought, and I want to say again, we would have never gotten to this without the Honourable Kamala Persad-Bissessar, without the Honourable Ravi Ratiram, Minister of Agriculture. I want to thank them both.”
Before becoming a Minister, Mr. Alexander raised concerns, arguing that the measures amounted to the unlawful seizure of public land.